Swansea City star Danny Graham aims to upset Manchester United

They’ve taken points off most the Premier League big boys since reaching the top flight 18 months ago – now Danny Graham wants a positive outcome against Manchester United on Sunday to complete the set.

They’ve taken points off most the Premier League big boys since reaching the top flight 18 months ago – now Danny Graham wants a positive outcome against Manchester United on Sunday to complete the set.

The Swans Premier League adventure has included memorable wins against the majority of last season’s top-six sides Manchester City, Arsenal (twice), Liverpool and Newcastle, as well as draws against Chelsea and Tottenham.

But United were one of only three sides to do the double over Swansea last season with a 1-0 win at the Liberty Stadium last November and a 2-0 victory in the penultimate game of the campaign at Old Trafford.

With Sir Alex Ferguson’s side due at the Liberty on Sunday, Graham is looking for another noteworthy performance to cap a remarkable 12 months for the Swans.

“United is the one result we haven’t got,” said Swansea striker Graham.

“But that’s why they have won so many titles over the last 15 or 20 years, because they have got that bit of steel and are hard to break down.

“We were unlucky at home against them last year. We had chances, but didn’t take them. It was a 1-0 defeat and we can take heart from that.

“What the boys have done this season has been great and we can go into the game full of confidence and it’s another great game for the fans.

“It will be a sell-out and the boys are looking forward to it. United are one of the best teams in England, if not the best, over the last 20 years so we are very excited.

“We are looking to get a result because we didn’t get anything last year and we are looking to put that right.”

Graham is hoping to get a recall to Michael Laudrup’s starting XI for just the third time since the beginning of October.

He started in the 4-3 defeat to Norwich two weeks ago, but was dropped for last weekend’s game against Spurs, only making an appearance as a substitute four minutes from time.

It’s been a stop-start campaign for last season’s top scorer under new manager Laudrup, who has preferred to play with Spanish forward Michu up front, and Graham admits it’s been a frustrating time for him.

Graham said: “I would hope for some games over Christmas, but you know what football is like, you don’t know whether you are going to be in or not.

“It’s a difficult moment for myself but the team are doing well which is the most important thing.

“It’s not about me not playing or Luke Moore or whoever, it’s about the team getting results and having another good season, if I get a chance to come on or start a game I will be looking to score a goal and kick-start my season.

“It’s been a frustrating couple of months for me and it would be nice to get that goal, but as long as the team are doing well it doesn’t really matter.”

Listen to our weekly Swans podcast

Next page: First team chances

Graham’s chances in the first team this season have also been hampered by a couple of minor injuries meaning that when his opportunity to impress has come along, he’s not always been sharp enough to take them.

The striker admitted he was right to be dropped by Laudrup following a poor display against Reading at the start of October, when he was taken off after just 45 minutes.

But Graham says he will be able to rediscover the form that saw him score 12 goals in the top flight under Brendan Rodgers last season.

He added: “My confidence isn’t low. I have only started one game since October. I would obviously like to get a little run in the team, to get my match fitness up and to get a bit sharper, but I have been working hard off the pitch to stay in shape for when I’m called upon.

“I was unlucky not to score against Norwich and I am just waiting for the chance to come. Football is not all plain sailing. You are going to have times when it is tough and I am experiencing that right now.

“I am always confident in my ability to score goals in this league, once I get one I am sure I will go on and do well again. The disappointment for me was that when I wasn’t scoring this season, I wasn’t playing as well, whereas last season I was contributing to the team even when I wasn’t scoring.

“I came out and said I was rightly dropped and it’s up to me to work hard and get back in the team.”

Some of Graham’s best chances to impress have come in the league cup this season and he helped Swansea to the semi-final of the Capital One Cup with goals in the early rounds against Barnsley and Crawley Town.

He is hopeful of more cup action when the Swans face Chelsea in the semi-final next month and believes people shouldn’t write off their chances against the reigning European champions.

“I’m sure the fans wanted Bradford or maybe Villa, but you have got to beat the best to win trophies,” added Graham.

“If we hadn’t got Chelsea now we possibly would have got them in the final, so we would probably have come across them at some point. Why not beat them now?

“It’s possible. Our form this season against the top teams has been good again. We held Chelsea at home so if we could get a good result away from home we have got every chance of getting through to the final.

“To go away first, any sort of result we know we will have a chance at home. We are strong against most teams at home. It’s going to be to a tough tie, but we look forward to it and we are capable of winning it.

“Even a narrow defeat up there wouldn’t be the end of the world. All the boys are hungry to experience a final – the League Cup final would be a big deal for us and we all want to be part of it.”

WalesOnline is part of Media Wales, publisher of the Western Mail, South Wales Echo, Wales on Sunday and the seven Celtic weekly titles, offering you unique access to our audience across Wales online and in print.